Valley of the Suns
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Exclusive: 5 Mikal Bridges Q’s and A’s with a shooting coach

By Dan Volpone

PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 22: Draft pick Mikal Bridges poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JUNE 22: Draft pick Mikal Bridges poses for a portrait at the Post NBA Draft press conference on June 22, 2018, at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: NBA Draft prospect, Mikal Bridges poses for a photo at the Mtn. Dew Kickstart Green Carpet on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 21: NBA Draft prospect, Mikal Bridges poses for a photo at the Mtn. Dew Kickstart Green Carpet on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center during the 2018 NBA Draft in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Bridges’ unique form

Valley of the Suns: Mikal Bridges has always had a strange looking shot. What do you see in his form? Does it compare to anyone else?

@Behind Curve: The player whose shot his reminds me of the most is probably Kevin Durant.

They both have really long arms, which presents some unique challenges for a shooter. For one, the ball is further off their chest on the way up to release point. They both like a distinct left-of-center line where the ball is more in line with their heart than their right shoulder. And they both have a very a high release.

But before you get too excited, there are a couple key differences.

Bridges doesn’t quite have a “hitch” where the ball goes behind his head like Derek Fisher’s shot. But he has a “pause,” as seen here:

His release is a bit of a sling-shot (from forwards in front of his chest, backwards towards his set-point, pause, then fire), but he does finish with a perfect follow through, most comparable to KD.

There is a bit of a resemblance to Rashard Lewis’ mechanical but effective shot.

Imagine if Kevin Durant’s and Rashard Lewis’s jump shots had a baby jumpshot. Sure, it’s sort of mechanical and a bit gangly like its parents, but it’s still sweet and deadly with lots of potential.

Once in a blue moon, this guy’s form comes to my mind when I watch Mikal, although Ray Allen has less of a pause:

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